At the start of the business-meeting public comment period, resident Celeste Robbins urged the Clinton City Council to clarify how the city is meeting its obligations to enforce animal-control laws now that the city is no longer working with the local humane society.

Robbins cited "Iowa Code 351.36 through 351.43" and said the statute requires local law enforcement to enforce neglect, abuse, vaccination and at-large laws and the city to have a plan for enforcement. She said it has been "over six weeks" since the city announced it no longer had a contract with the local humane society and that residents have reported minimal police response to animal complaints.

Robbins asked a set of specific questions: how the city is meeting enforcement obligations now; whether impounded animals are being kept in licensed shelters rather than other locations; whether the city has signed any new contract and, if so, why it was not publicly voted; whether the plan involves sending animals and tax dollars to agencies outside the community; and whether healthy, rehabilitable animals could be euthanized under the current plan.

Council acknowledged Robbins' comments; no detailed on-the-record response appears in the transcript. Councilor and staff discussion later in the meeting did not provide a specific answer to all of Robbins' points within the recorded segments.

Why it matters: The issues Robbins raised concern enforcement of state animal-control statutes, the transparency of municipal contracting, and where public funds are directed for animal care.

Next steps: The transcript records Robbins' requests for answers; staff or council would need to provide the formal status of any new contract and clarify where impounded animals are being housed to fully address the questions raised.